O o o o o x o o



Se t. 4, 1923. 1,467,003

H. PARKER APPARATUS FOR HANDLING PAPER OR PULP TUBES OR SIMILAR ARTICLES 7 Filed April 2, 1921 v 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 Sept. 4, 1923. 1,467.008 H. PARKER APPARATUS FOR HANDLING PAPER OR PULP TUBES OR SIMILAR ARTICLES Filed April 2. 1921 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 Sept. 4, 1923. 1,467,008.

H. PARKER APPARATUS FOR HANDLING PAPER OR PULP TUBES OR SIMILAR ARTICLES Filed 1921 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 Sept. 4, 1923.

H. PARKER APPARATUS FOR'HANDLING PAPER 0R PULP TUBES 0R SIMILAR ARTICLES Filed p il 2, 1.921 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 H. PARKER APPARATUS FOR HANDLING PAPER OR PULP TUBES OR SIMILAR ARTICLES Sept. 4, 192$ Sept. 4, 1923.

H. PARKER APPARATUS FOR HANDLING PAPER OR PULP TUBES OR SIMILAR ARTICLES Sept. 4, I923. 1,467,008 I H. PARKER APPARATUS FOR HANDLING PAPER OR PULP TUBES 0R SIMILAR ARTICLES Filed April 1921 8 Shets-Sheet 7 JJ! Sept 4, 1923. 1,467,00&

H. PARKER APPARATUS FOR HANDLING PAPER OR PULP TUBES OR SIMILAR KRTICLES Filed April 2 1921 8 Sheets'-$heet 8 Patented Sept. 4', 1923.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HOWARD PARKER, OF BERLIN, NEW HAMPSHIRE, ASSIGNOR TO BROWN COMPANY, OF PORTLAND, MAINE, A CORPOR-ATEON OF MAINE.

APPARATUS FOR HANDLING- PAPER OB PUL]? TUBES OB. SIMILAR ARTICLES.

Application filed April 2, 1921.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that l, Hownnn PARKER, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Berlin, county of Coos, State of New Hampshire, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for Handling Paper or Pulp Tubes or Similar Articles, of which the following is a specification.

As an instance of a use to which the ins-- chine of the present invention may be applied, reference may be had to my co-pending appli :ation S. No. 450,370, filed March 7, 1921., which discloses an installation wherein the apparatus of the present invention is illustrated in connection with a ma chine for forming: tubes or articles made from pulp, and a machine for drying the tubes.

The present invention is more particularl. concerned with the mechanism for an tomatically transferring articles delivered by the tube forming machine to the drying machine; and to the control of the transfer mechanism, and the control of the drying machine, in, part, through. the transfer mechanism.

/Vhile the various features of invention will be described with reference to their use in the particular machine here selected for Mhe purpose of illustration, I desire it to he clearly understood that the invention is susceptible of other embodiments, and that the terms herein used are merely terms of description and are not in any sense terms of limitation.

.ln the accompanying drawings Fi 'l is a side view of the complete transfer mechanism showing: at the left the as sociated parts ot the receiving end of the drier.

Figs. 2, 3 and i are diagrammatic views of part of what is shown in Fig. 1 and illustrate the electrical control as will he hereinafter described.

l 5 is an enlarged detail view of two upper stages of the drier with the transfer mechanism associated therewith, and drivinn; and controlling; mechanism therefor, some parts being broken away to show constructiou.

Fig. 6 is a plan view of the parts shown in Fig. 5 and including: the opposite side of the apparatus.

llig. 7 is a iew of the central section of Serial No. 458,108.

the transfer mechanism showing on an en larged scale operative parts of the control mechanisn'i.

Fig. 8 is a view of the left side of the conveyor mechanism of Fig. 7, looking in the direction of the arrow 8.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged detail view of the right side of the conveyor mechanism, looking in the direction of the arrow 9.

Fig. 10 is a detail view of the drive for the transfer mechanism and the associated control mechanism.

Fig. 11 is a plan view thereof.

In describing the machine, it may be assumed. that niandrels on which. pulp tubes have been wound are being handled.

Referring to Fig. 1, a is a table adapted to receive such mandrels 7) and deliver them to a position which, for convenience, may be referred to as a supply point of the transfer apparatus, where they may be engaged with or picked up by the transfer D'lGOhEL- nism. Thus, there a single point at which the 'mandrels are supplied to and engaged with the transfer apparatus. This transfer apparatus includes a pair of chains 0, one at each side of the machine, carrying pairs of alined mandrel engaging chuck bars d with oppositely arranged chucks 27, and these chains travel upwardly from. the supply point, then laterally, and then downwardly in front of the receiving end of whatever apparatus the mandrels are to be delivered to, in this case a drier. The drier has ten superposed stages, and this machine is designed to simultaneously deliver ten ma. drels to the drier, one mandrel being delivered to each stage. interposed bet-ween each stage of the drier and the transfer chains are shifting; arms 72. which receive nia-ndrels from the transfer chains and deliver them onto the carriers of the drier which are composed of rolls 100 suitably mounted and supported therein and adapt ed to be moved intermittently therethrough.

Since there is but a single supply point for the transfer apparatus (which includes the transfer chains 0 and the shifting arms 72.) and ten discharge points to the drier stages, it results that after ten mandrels have been delivered to the drier neither the shifting" arms nor the drier carriers are operated again until ten new mandrels have been picked up at the supply point. In one manner of speaking, either the shifting arms or the drier carriers, or both, may be considered as constituting mechanism for receiving articles from the discharge point or points of the transfer chains. In addition to the details of construction embodied in this transfer apparatus, the invention contemplates the automatic electrical control of the successive steps or ope 'ations of the apparatus and the proper timing of the operating parts for the accomplishment of the purposes for which they are designed. With this brief outline of the general scheme of operation, a. more detail descrip tion of the apparatus and its operation and control will now be given.

When a full mandrel rolls down the table a into position at the supply point of the transfer chains, it depresses a lever 23 cansing the switch A, through the contacts 20, 21, to close a circuit (indicated by heavy dash lines, F ig. 1) through a solenoid B which results in the engagement of the clutch C and the operation thereby of the rack e for moving the chuck bars into ongagement with the mandrel now positioned at the supply point as will now be described. The clutch C is illustrated (see Figs. 7 and 9) as comprising a notched drum 3O loose on a shaft 31 and constantly driven by chain 36; a cooperating drum 32 fixed to that shaft; a radially movable pawl carried by the fixed drum 32 and adapted when released to move outwardly thereof to enter a notch of drum 30 and connect the two drums together; and a cam 3a normally holding the pawl 33 in retracted or inoperative position. The cam 3 is held in its pawl retracting position by a pivot-ally mountcdlatch .35 to which the armature of the solenoid B is connected. On each end of the shaft 81, which extends across the machine, (there being like mechanisms at each side of the machine) is fixed a'pinion 38 meshing with a pinion 39 on an auxiliary shaft 450 carryng at its inner end a crank 1-1 to which is connected a link 42 secured at its lower end to the rack e which meshes with a pinion l8 and which in turn. meshes with the teeth of a plunger 4L4 slidably mounted in the conveyor frame 46 at a point adjacent the lower end of the inclined table a. Each of the plungers 44 has a head 4L5 at its outer end in front of which the ends of the chuck bars cl are brought as these chuck loa-rs successively move into position opposite the supply point. Now, upon energization of the solenoid B, the armature thereof moves upwardly swinging the latch 35 connected thereto in a direction to release the cam 34 which drops of its own weight and as the pawl is now rclased it jumps outwardly so that it connects the fast and loose drums of the clutch C, whereupon the shaft 31 and the auxiliary shafts 40, with the cranks 4E1 thereon are rotated. Upon rotation of the cranks ll, the racks c are first moved upwardly causing the plungers 44C to move inwardly thus pushing the chucks forward to engage them with a mandrel, and then the racks e are lowered to \vithdraw the plungers into the position shown in Fig. 2) so that when the next pair of chuck bars d are brought into position to pick up a mandrel, the heads thereof will lie in front of the heads of the 'plungers 44L. When the shaft 31 has almost completed one revolution. the pawl 33 engages the lever 48 fixed to the cam 34 to rock the latter up into position to retract the' pawl 33 and disengage the parts of the clutch C, the cam being held up in this position by the weighted latch 35 which has returned to normal position.

After the chucks are thus engaged with the mandrel, the transfer chains are auto matically stepped forward one step and this is brought about through the closing of a switch D which comprises a circuit closer 50 rotatable with the shaft 81 and cooper-ating with a pair of terminals 51, Closing of this switch causes, through the circuit indicated by heavy full lines of Fig. 1, momentary energization of a solenoid E to engage the parts of a clutch F, (similar to .clutch (I) of the driving mechanism for the transfer chains, this driving mechanism being shown in detail in Figs. 10 and 11. Referring to these figures, 52 is a shaft constantly driven in any suitable manner by means of a chain 53 passing about a sprocket 54 fixed to one end of this shaft. ()11 the other end of the shaft is a sprocket wheel 55 receiving the chain 86 through which the operating mechanism for the chuck engaging means is driven, as has been described. Also on thesha-ft 52 is the clutch F having a fixed drum 56 and a loose drum 57 to the hub of which is fixed a pinion 58 connected through gear 59, shaft 60. pinion 61 and gear 62 with a shaft 64 to one end of which is fixed a sprocket 65 connected by a chain 66toa sprocket 67 fixed on the shaft 68 on which the driving sprockets 69 for the transfer chains 0 are mounted. "When the solenoid E is energized, its armature rises and rocks the latch 70 to release the cam 71 pivoted as at 72, and the cam the normal position shown in Fig. 10 to disengage the clutch upon completion of the step movement of the transfer chains.

So much of the transfer mechanism as has been described operates each time a mandrel is delivered to the supply point, that is to say, a pair of: chucks on the transfer chains are engaged. with that mandreland then the chains are moved forward one step to raise the engaged mandrel and bring another pair of empty chucks into position ready to pick up a new mandrel when it is delivered to the supply point.

After the tenth mandrel has been engaged with the transfer chains and these transfer chains start to move, there is a mandrel being brought into position in front of the receiving end of each stage of the drier. that time, a segment 7 '3 (which is fixed to a stub shaft 76 driven from the shaft 6 1 through the pinion 77 and gear 78) engages a slide 79 to which is connected a pivoted contact arm 80 of a switch G and moves it from the upper terminal 81 into contact with the lower one 82 closing a circuit (shown by heavy full lines in Fig. 2) which energizes a solenoid H and. thereby sets into operation certain mechanism for throwing the shif ing arms it (one at the forward end o't'each stage of the drier) out beneath the now descending tubes on the transfer chains. T he contact arm 80 is normally held on the upper stationary terminal 81 by a spring 83.

Referring particularly to Figs. 5 and 6, it will be seen that at the forward end of of each stage of the drier is a root: shaft carrying a pair of spaced shifting); arms 7i, and at one end a crank 91 connected by a linlr 02 with a gear 9 meshing with a gear 95 twice its size. The gear 95 is tired to one end of a shaft 96 car ying, a pair of spaced sprockets 97 about which pass the carrier chains 08 one at each side of the machine. Connected to the links of these carrier chains are suitable bearing members 09 for the rollers 100 on which the tubes to be dried are supported.

On one end of each shaft is a ratchet clutch having a disc 102 fixed to the shaft and a cooperating gear 103 loose on the shaft. This gear carries spring pressed pawls 10a which engage teeth. 105 on the disc 102 causing the latter to rotate when'the gear is rotated in a countercloclmvise direction, referring to Fig. 5.

Meshing with all of the gears 103 is a common rack 106 connected by a link or pitman 107 to a large gear 108. T his gear, as most clearly shown in ll 5 and 6, is driven from a main shaft 110 through a chain 111. a shaft 112 on which is secured the notched drum 11.3 of a clutch 1 whose other drum member 113 is normally loose on the shaft and carries a pinion 11 t meshing with a gear 115 lixed to an iiltermediate shaft 116 to which is also ixed a, pinion 117 meshing with the near 108.

tenth mandrel has been engaged. with the transfer chains and these chains have started to move) the solenoid H is energized actuating a latch 120 to release a cam 127 and thus engage the drums 1.1.3, 113 of the clutch I so that the large gear 108 is driven. Jifhile this gear is rotating throrugh an angle which brings the upper end of the pitman 107 from the position shown in Fig. 1. to its lowermost position, the rack 106 will be lowered and the gears 103 meshing: thercwith will be rotated in a clockwise manner without rotating the disc 102. As the gear continues to rotate through a 'iproxiinately the next 90 i. e., to the position shown in Fig. 3, it raises the rack 106 which turns the years 103 in a counter-clockwise direction and the pawls 10st engage the teeth 105 of disc 102 to rotate each shaft 06 about one-fourth of a turn, and due to the ratio of the intermeshine' gears 95, 94:, the latter will be rotated 180 throwing the shifting arms 71 out into the full line position of Fl 3 and the dotted line position of Fig. :3 below the descending mandrels. While the shaft 96 is thus rotated, the carrier chains will, of. course, be moved forward a part of one step since the carrier chain sprockets 97 are fixed to this shaft.

Carried by the shaft 120, on which the gear 103 is fixed, is a bracket 121 having a pair of arms in the end of each of which is journaled a stud carrying at one end a gear 122 and its other end a pair of eccentrically positioned rollers 123. The gears 122 mesh with a gear 124: encircling the shaft 120 but fixed to the frame or hearingin which this shaft is mounted. The arrangement is in the nature of a planetary gearinpg. When the near 108 has made about one-third of a revolution, that is when the upper end of the pitman has been. brought to the approuimate position shown in l ig. 3, one of the rollers 123 of the planetary gear- 111, 1 engages the tail end of the pivoted lever 127 throwin the same upwardly and disconnecting the parts of the clutch I, whereupon the mechanism will come to rest, with the arms 72 in the position shown in Fig. 3. In the meantime, the transfer chains are continuinn to more to bring each of. the ten mandr is on the delivery side of these chains into position imn'iediately above the now outwardly positioned shifting arms, and as these chains approach the completion oftheir s ep (that is, just before the dog 72, Fig. 10. strikes the cam 71 of the clutch the head of one of the clutch bars (Z engages the contact members 130 of the switch .l which may be .iilar in construction to the switch These contact members are carried by a side 13] coimocted by a crank 132 with one of the shafts 90 (see Figs. 3'and 7 so that when the shifting arms are thrown out into the position shown in Figs. 8 and 4, the switch J is moved into position directly under a descending chuck bar head. The result of closing the switch J is to energize the solenoid K and thereby engage the drums of a clutch L of the operating mechanism for disengaging the chucks from the u'iandrels. This mechanism may be identical in construction and operation with the heretofore described mechanism for operatingthe chuck engaging means at the supply point of the transfer chains, and therefore the parts thereof are designated by like characters, except that they are primed. The loose drum member of the clutch L may be continuously driven by means of a chain 134 passing about a sprocket 135 fixed to the hub of the loose drum 30 of the clutch C. Upon engagement of the clutch L, the crank 41 is rotated and through the link 42 the rack i is lowered and through pinions 137 (see Figs. 7 and 8) moves the plungers 13S outwardly from the position shown in Fig. 8 to withdraw the chucks from the mandrels which are now in position on the shifting arms. It will be understood, of course, that there are ten pairs of plunger-s 188, there being a pair positioned at each discharge point of the transfer chains. These plungers are similar to the plunger 44. except that the heads 139 are adapted to lie behind the heads 45 of the chuckbars (Z, so that when the plungers 138 are moved outwardly, the chuck bars are withdrawn.

As the mechanism, of which the clutch L forms an element, continues to operate, a switch M, associated therewith and similar to the switch D, is closed causing the min rent to flow through the circuit shown in heavy full lines Fig. 4 to again. energize the solenoid H whereupon the clutch I is again engaged and the gear 108 completes itsrev'olution. As the gear 108 moves the pitman 1.07 from the position shown in Fig. 4, the rack 106 is raised to complete the step movement of the drier carriers and throw the shifting arms 7b forward to deliver the man drels supported thereon onto the pairs of supporting rolls 100 of the carriers which have just been brought into position to receive the same. As the gear 108 approaches the end of its revolution, the rack 106 is lowered into normal position and one of the rollers 123 of the planetary gearing again raises the cam 127 to throw the clutch I out of engagement so that the parts are now brought to their normal positions of rest.

To adapt the apparatus for the handling of tubes of various sizes, the delivery side of the conveyor, comprising the transfer chains 0, is vertically adjustable. In the present instance, the parts of the frame 24 about which the chains 0 pass, are hingedly connected together as at 146 (see Fig. 1) and the left end of this frame is supported by a transverse bar 14? adapted to be vertically adjusted by screws 148.

The complete chain of operations of the machine will be very briefly described in connection with a brief explanation of the circuits through which the control. of the parts thereof is effected.

As each and every mandrel is delivered (for instance from the tube forming machine) onto the table (0, it rolls down the lat ter and engages the switch A, thereby inomientarily closing that circuit which includes the wires 200 (shown in heavy dash lines, Fig. 1) and the solenoid causing the latter to be energized which results in the engagement of the clutch C and the operatlon of the rack e to engage the chucks with the mandrel now positioned at the lower end of the table a, as shown in Fig. 1. The switch D is then closed and the current will pass through the circuit 201 and the solenoid E as indicated by heavy full lines, Fig. 1.

Upon energization of the solenoid E, the clutch F is engaged and the transfer chains are driven forward one step through this clutch. These operations repeat for ten mandrels. After the tenth mandrel has been picked up by the transfer chains and these chains start to move, the pivoted arm of the switch G is swung down by the segment 75 and at this time the switch D is still closed so that the current passes through the circuit indicated by heavy full lines Fig. 2. This circuit includes the/wires 201 andthe solenoid E, but the current is now passing through these wires in a direction opposite to that shown in the circuit indicated by heavy full lines, Fig. 1. This circuit also includes the wires 202 connected to the solenoid H. When this circuit is closed. the solenoid H is energized and the clutch I engaged, whereupon the gear 108 will make a partial revolution, throwing the shifting arm h outwardly below the descending inandrels on the delivery side of the transfer chains, moving the switch J into operative position and also moving the drier carriers forward a portion of one step. The plane tary gearing then disengages the clutch I and one of the descending chuck bars will close the switch J causing the current to flow through. the circuit shown in heavy full lines Fig. 3 and which circuit includes the wires 204 and the solenoid K. When this solenoid is thus energized, the clutch L is engaged and the chucks are withdrawn from the mandrels positioned above the now outwardly positioned shifting arms 71 The switch M is now closed, whereupon the current will flow, as shown by heavy full lines, 4, through the wires 205, 202, again energizing the solenoid H and engaging the clutch I whereupon the gear 108 will complete its revolution during which time the step movement of the carriers will be completed and the shifting arms hwill be thrown forward to deliver the mandrels thereon onto the supporting rolls 100 which have been brought into position to receive the same. When the gear 108 has completed its revolution, the planetary gearing again engages the lever or cam 127 to disengage the clutch I and thus the parts are brought into their normal positions of rest.

I claim as my invention 1. A supply point, a conveyor provided with article holding devices adapted to traverse said supply point and to receive articles one by one therefrom, and means controlled by the delivery of the articles to said supply point for actuating said devices to engage them with the articles.

2. A supply point, a conveyor provided with article holding devices traversing said point, means for engaging said holding devices with articles supplied to said supply point, driving means for moving said conveyor ahead one step each time an article is engaged therewith and a system of control for said engaging and driving means c011- tr olled by the delivery of articles to the supply point.

8. A supply point, aconveyor adapted to receive articles therefrom one by one and provided with article holding devices, means for moving said conveyor ahead one step each time an article is received thereby, means for actuating said devices, and a system controlled by the delivery of the articles.

l. A supply point, a conveyor provided with pairs of alined article holding devices traversing said point, and means controlled by the articles as they are delivered to the supply point for actuating said devices to engage them with the articles.

5. A supply point, a conveyor provided with pairs of alined article holding devices traversing said point, means for engaging said holding devices with articles supplied to said supply point, driving means for moving said conveyor ahead one step each time an article is engaged therewith, and a sys tem of control for said engaging and driving means controlled by the delivery of articles to the supply point.

6. A supply point, a conveyor provided with article holding devices traversing said supply point, means for engaging said holding devices with articles supplied thereto, operating means therefor controlled by the delivery of articles to the supply point, and means controlled by said operating means for moving said conveyor ahead step by step.

7. A supply point, a discharge point, a transfer conveyor including article holding devices traversing said points, means for engaging said devices with articles supplied to the supply point, and means for disengaging said holding devices trom the articles at the discharge point, both of said means being controlled by the delivery of articles to the supply point.

8. A supply point, a discharge point, a conveyor provided with article holding devices traversing said points, means for engaging said devices with articles supplied thereto, means for moving said conveyor ahead one step each time an article is engagedtherewith, and means for disengaging said holding devices from the articles at the discharge point, all of said means being con- 10. A supply point, a discharge point, a

conveyor provided with pairs oi alined article holding devices traversing said points, means controlled by the articles delivered to the supply point for engaging said holding de vices with the articles at the supply point, means controlled by said engaging means for periodically driving said conveyor, and means controlled by the operation of said conveyor for disengaging said devices from the articles at the discharge point.

11. A supply point a discharge point, a conveyor provided with article holding devices traversing said points, means for engaging said devices with articles supplied thereto, means for moving said conveyor one step each time an article is engaged therewith, means for disengaging said devices from the articles at said discharge point, and a system of control for all of said means including mechanism actuated by the delivery of articles to the supply point.

12. A supply point, a discharge point, a conveyor provided with article holding devices traversing said points, means for engaging said devices with articles supplied thereto, means for moving said conveyor one step each time an article is engaged therewith, means for disengaging said devices from the articles at said discharge point, and a system of control for all of said means including mechanism actuated by the articles as they are delivered to the supply point.

13. A supply point, a conveyor provided with article holding devices traversing said point, means for engaging said devices with articles supplied thereto, means for driving said conveyor ahead one step each time an article is engaged therewith; and asystem of control through which said engaging means controls said driving means.

14. A supply point, a discharge point, a conveyor provided with article holding devices traversing said points, means for engaging said devices with articles supplied thereto, means for driving said conveyor ahead one step each time an article is engaged therewith, means for disengaging said devices from the articles at the discharge point, and a system of control through which said engaging means controls said driving means and the operation of said conveyor controls said disengaging means.

15. A discharge point, a conveyor provided with article holding devices travers- 1ng said point, means for disengaging sald devices from the articles at the discharge point, and controlling means for said means periodically actuated by the operation oi said conveyor.

16. A discharge point, a conveyor pro- Vided with article holding devices traversing said point, means for periodically driving said conveyor, means for disengaging said holding devices from the articles at the discharge point, operating means therefor, a switch actuated by the engagement of the conveyor therewith and controlling said i operating means, and means controlled by said driving means for moving said switch into and out of the path of movement of said conveyor.

17. A supply point a discharge point. conveyor traversing said points, intermittently actuated mechanism for receiving articles from said conveyor at the discharge point, and a system of control through which said mechanism is controlled by the operation of said conveyor.

18. A supply point, a discharge point, a conveyor traversing said points driving means for moving said conveyor ahead one st p each time an article is delivered thereto, mechanism for receiving articles from said conveyor at the discharge point. operating means for intermittently actuating said mechanism, and a system of control through which said driving means controls said operating means.

19. A supply point, a discharge point. a conveyor provided with article holding devices traversing said points, means tor intermittently driving, said conveyor. means for disengaging said. devices from the articles at the discharge point, mechanism to? receiving articles from said conveyor at the discharge point, operating means for periodically moving the same and system of control through which said driving means and disengaging means control said operating means.

20. A supply point, a discharge point,

conveyor provided with article holding devices traversing said points, means itor engaglng said devices with the articles at the supply point, i'neans controlled by said engaging means :tor drivlng said conveyor each time an article is engaged therewith, means controlled. by the operation of said conveyor for disengaging said devices from the articles at the discharge point, mecha nism for receiving articles from said conveyor at the discharge point, and operating means therefor controlled through said driving and disengaging means.

21. A supply point, a discharge point a conveyor provided with automatically operated article holding devices traversing said points, intermittently actuated mechanism for receiving :n'ticles :t'rom said conveyor at the discharge point, and a system of control for said conveyor and mechanism controlled by the delivery oi the articles to the supply point.

22. A supply point, a discharge point, a conveyor traversing said points, driving means for moving said conveyor ahead one step each time an article is delivered thereto, mechanism for receiving articles iirom said conveyor at the discharge point, operating means for intermittently actuating said mechanism, and a system of control through which said driving means controls said operating means and including means actuated by the articles as they are supplied to the supply point.

23. A supply point, a discharge point, a conveyor provided with article holding doviccs traversing said points, means for en gaging said devices with the articles at the supply point, means for driving said conveyor ahead one step each time an rticle is engaged therewith, means for disengaging said devices tron: the articles at the dis-- charge point mechanism for receiving the articles from said conveyor at the discharge point, operating means therei'or, and a system of control. for all. of said. means controlled. by the delivery of articles to the supply point.

24L. A supply point, a drier including a carrier for moving the articles tlierethrough, a transfer mechanism receiving articles from the supply point and delivering them to said carrier. means tor driving said carrier, and a system of control through which said driving means is controlled by the operation of said transfer mechanism. i

25. A. supply point, a drier including a carrier for moving the articles therethrouiglu a transfer mechanism for delivering articles from said supply point to said carrier, driving means for said carrier, and an electrical system of control through which said driving means is controlled by the operation of said transfer mechanism.

26. A supply point, a drier including a carrier for moving articles therethrough, transfer mechanism receiving articles from said supply point and delivering them to said carrier, operating mechanisms for said transfer mechanism and said carrier, and system or control through which said operating mechanisms are controlled by the delivery of the articles to the supply point.

27. A supply point, a drier including a carrier and means for periodically moving the same, a transfer conveyor tor receiving articles from said supply point and delivering them to said carrier, means for periodically driving said transfer conveyor, and a system of control for said mo ing means and driving means controlled by the deliv cry of the articles to said supply point.

28. A supply point, a drier having a carrier for moving the articles therethrough, a transfer mechanism tor receiving the articles from the supply point and delivering them to said carrier, operating mechanism for said transfer mechanisnn driving means for said carrier, and a system of control through which said operating mechanism is controlled by the delivery of the articles to the supply point and said driving means is controlled by the operation of said transfer mechanism.

29. A supply point, a. discharge point, a conveyor traversing said points, mechanism for receiving articles from the discharge point, and means for moving said mechanism into position to receive an article and then advance the same after the article is delivered thereto.

30. A. supply point, a discharge point, a conveyor traversing said points, a pivoted receiving arm at the discharge point, and means for moving said arm rearivardly into position to receive an article from the conveyor and then move it forwardly after th article is received thereby.

31. A supply point a discharge point, a conveyor provided with article holding devices traversing said points means tor engaging said devices with the articles at the supply point, means for disengaging said devices from the articles at the discharge point. mechanism, adjacent the discharge point for receiving the articles therefrom, and means or moving said mechanism into position to receive an article from the con veyor and then advance it ai'tcr the article is delivered thereto.

3:). A supply point a discharge point, a conveyor traversing said points, receiving mechanism at the discharge point, operating means therefor for moving the same into position to receive an article from the conveyor and then advance it after the article delivered thereto, and a system of control through which the operation of said conveyor controls said operating means.

33. A supply point, a discharge point, a

conveyor traversing said points, means for periodically driving said conveyor, shitting mechanism at the discharge point, operating means there-for for moving the same into position to receive an article from the conveyor and then advance it, and a system of control. through which said driving means controls said operating means.

34;. A supply point, a discharge point, a conveyor provided with article holding de vices traversing said points, means for engaging said devices With the articles at the supply point means for periodically driving said conveyor, means tor disengaging said devices from the articles at the discharge point, shitting mechanism adjacent the discharge point, operating means for moving said mechanism into receiving position and then advancing the same after an article is delivered thereto, and a system of control through which said engaging means controls said driving means and said driving means and disengaging means control said operating means.

35 A supply point, carrier, a transfer mechanism including a conveyor receiving articles from said supply point. and shifting mechanism to move the articles from the discharge point OTE said conveyor to said carrier, means for periodically operating said transfer mechanism, and means for periodically driving said carrier.

3 A supply point a drier having a car rier, transfer mechanism including a conveyor receiving articles from said supply point and shifting mechanism to move the articles from the discharge point of said conveyor to said carrierymeans for periodically operating said transfer mechanisrm means for driving said carrier, and a system of control through Which said operating means controls said driving means.

37. A supply point, a carrier, transfer mechanism including a conveyor receiving articles from said supply point and shifting mechanism to move the articles from the discharge point of said conveyor to said carrier, means for periodically driving said conveyor, operating means for said shitting mechanism and carrier and a system of control through which said driving means controls said operating means.

38. A supply point, a carrier, a transfer mechanism including a conveyor provided with. article holding devices traversing said supply point and shifting mechanism for moving the articles from the discharge point oil said conveyor to the carrier, means for engaging said devices With the articles at the supply point, means for driving said conveyor ahead one step each time an article is engaged therewith, means for disengaging said devices from the articles at the discharge point, and means for moving said shitting mechanism into position beneath lll the descending article and then moving said mechanism forwardly after the article has been disengaged from said holding devices and received by said mechanism.

39. A supply point, a carrier; transfer r' echanism including a conveyor receiving articles from said supply point and shifting mechanism to move the articles from the discharge point 01" said conveyor to said carrier; means for actuating said conveyor, shitting mechanism and carrier; and a systom of control for said means controlled by the delivery of articles to the supply point.

4:0. A supply point, a plurality of deliuitely positioned discharge points, and a transfer mechanism receiving articles one by one at the supply point and delivering a plurality of them simultaneously one at each discharge point.

4.1. A supply point, a plurality of deli nitely positioned discharge points, a conveyor traversing said supply and discharge points and means for simultaneously discharging articles from said conveyor one at each discharge point each time a predetermined number of articles have been delivcred to said conveyor.

42. A supply point, a plurality oil: discharge points, a conveyor having pairs of alined article holding devices traversing said points, and means at the discharge points lor simultaneously disengaging said devices from the articles.

513. A. supply point, a plurality of discharge points, a conveyor having pairs of. alined article holding devices traversing said points, means for engagin g said devices with. articles at the supply point, means for dis engaging said holding devices from the articles at each discharge point, and means for simultaneously actuating said last mentioned means.

414. A conveyor having a pair oil. parallel runs moving in opposite directions, a supply point on one of said runs, a plurality oi discharge points on the other of said runs, and means for discl'iarging the articles simul taneously one from each discharge point.

45. A supply point, a plurality of delinitcly positioned discharge points, a conveyor traversing said supply and discharge points, means for moving said conveyor forward one step each time an article is delivcred thereto, and means for simultaneously disengaging the articles. one at each discharge point, after a predetermined number of articles have been delivered to the conveyor.

46. A supply point, a plurality of discharge points, a conveyor having alined article holding devices traversing said points, means for stepping said conveyor ahead each time an article is delivered thereto, and means for disengaging said holding devices from the articles simultaneously, one at the discharge point, each time a predetermined number of articles has been delivered to said conveyor.

4L7. A supply point, a plurality of discharge points, conve or having pairs of alined article engaging devices traversing said points, means for ai'itomatically engaging said holding devices with the articles at the supply point, means for stepping said conveyor ahead each time an article is engaged therewith means adjacent each discharge point for disengaging said devices from the articles, and means for simiiiltaneously actuating said disengaging means each time a predetermined number of articles has been engaged with said conveyor.

41:8. A plurality of discharge points, a conveyor provided with pairs of alined article holding chuck bars successively traversing said discharge points, each of said bars be 'ing supported for longitudinal movement and having a head on its outer end, a pair o't alined longitudinally movable plungers at each discharge point and each having a head on one end adapted to engage behind the heads on said bars, and means for reciprocating said plungers in unison.

49. A supply point, a plurality of discharge points, a conveyor mechanism including a conveyor traversing said supply and discharge points and means for periodically driving said conveyor, means for sinniltaneously discharging articles from said conveyor, one at each discharge point, each time a predetermined number of articles have been supplied to said conveyor, and a system o't control through which the operation of said conveyor mechanism controls said last mentioned means.

50. A supply point a plurality of discharge points, a conveyor traversing said supply and discharge points, means for driving said conveyor ahead one step each time an article is supplied thereto, means for simultaneously discharging articles from said conveyor, one at each discharge point, each time a predetermined number of articles ill) have been supplied to said conveyor, and a system of control through which said driving means controls said last mentioned means.

51. A supply point, a plurality of discharge points, conveyor provided with article holding devices traversing supply and discharge points, means for driving said conveyor ahead one step each time an article supplied thereto, means for simultaneously actuating said holding devices to disthem from the articles, one at each discharge point, each time a predetermined number of articles have been supplied to said conveyor, and a system of control through which said driving means controls said last mentioned means.

52. A supply point, a plurality of discharge points, a conveyor provided with article holding devices traversing said supply and discharge points, means for engaging said devices with the articles at the supply point, means for driving said conveyor ahead one step each time an article is engaged therewith, means for simultaneously disengaging said devices from the articles, one at each discharge point, and a system of control through which said engaging n'ieans controls said driving means and said driving means controls said disengaging means.

533. A supply point, a plurality of definitely positioned discharge points, arranged one above the other, a transfer mechanism receiving articles one by one at the supply point and delivering a plurality of them simultaneously one at each discharge point, and a system of control for said transfer mechanism controlled by the delivery of articles to the supply point.

5%. A supply point, a plurality of discharge points, a conveyor traversing said supply and discharge points, means for driving said conveyor ahead one step each time an article is engaged therewith, means for simultaneously disengaging the articles one at each discharge point after a predetermined number of articles have been delivered to said conveyor, and a system of control through which the delivery of articles to the supply point controls said driving means and said driving means controls said disengaging means.

A supply point, a plurality of discharge points, a conveyor provided with article holding devices traversing said points. means for engaging said devices with the articles at the supply point, means for driving said conveyor ahead one step each time an article is engaged therewith, means for simultaneously disengaging said holding devices from the articles, one at each discharge point, after a predetermined number of articles have been supplied to said conveyor, and an electrical system of control through. which actuation of all of said means is automatically effected.

A supply point, a plurality of receiving mechanisms, a transfer conveyor receiving articles one by one from said supply point and delivering a plurality of them simultaneously one to each receiving mechanism.

57. A supply point, a plurality of receiving mechanisms, a transfer conveyor receiving articles one by one from said supply point and delivering a plurality of them simultaneously one to each receiving mechanism. and means for driving said conveyor ahead one step each time an article is supplied thereto, the delivery of articles to said receiving mechanisms occurring every time the number of articles received by the trans posed therebetween to receive articles from the supply point and convey them to said receiving mechanisms, means for stepping said conveyor ahead each time an article is received thereby, and means for simultaneously delivering articles to said receiving mechanisms operable each time a predetermined number of articles have been delivcred to said transfer conveyor.

59. A supply point, a plurality of receiving mechanisms, a transfer conveyor receiving articles one by one from said supply point and delivering a plurality of them simultaneously one to each receiving mechanism, means for driving said transfer conveyor ahead one step each time an article is received thereby, and means for moving said receiving mechanisms each time articles are delivered thereto.

60. A supply point, a plurality of receiving mechanisms, a transfer conveyor receiving articles one by one from said supply point and delivering a plurality of them simultaneously one to each receiving mechanism, and operating means controlled by the operation of said conveyor mechanism for periodically moving said receiving mechanisms.

61. A supply point, a plurality of receiving mechanisms, a transfer conveyor receiving articles one by one from said supply point and delivering a plurality of them simultaneously one to each receiving mechanism, driving means for stepping said conveyor ahead one step each time an article is supplied thereto, operating means for periodically moving said receiving mechanisms, and a system of control through. which said driving means controls said operating means.

62. A supply point, a plurality of discharge points, a transfer conveyor provided with article holding devices traversing said points, driving means for stepping said conveyor ahead one step each time an article is engaged therewith, means operable each time a predetermined number of articles have been delivered to said transfer conveyor for disengaging said devices from the articles simultaneously one at each discharge point, a plurality of receiving mechanisms, one adjacent each discharge point, for simi'iltaneously receiving articles therefrom, operating means for moving said receiving mechanisms each time articles are delivered thereto, and a system of control through which said driving means and disengaging means control said operating means.

63. A supply point, a plurality of discharge points, a transfer conveyor provided with article holding devices traversing Said points, driving .rneans for stepping said conveyor ahead one step each time an article is ei'igaged therewith, means for engaging said devices with the articles at the supply point, means operable each. time a predetermined number of articles have seen deliver-d to said transfer conveyor for simultaneously disensaid devices from the articles one at each discharge point, plurality of receiv ing mechanisms one adjacent each discharge point for simultaneously receiving arti cles therefrom, operating means for moving said receiving mechanisms each time articles are delivered thereto, and a system of control through which said engaging means controls said driving means, and said driving means controls said disengaging means and said operating means.

64;. A supply point, a plurality of receiv ing mechanisms, a transik-n? mechanism receiving'articles one by one from said supply point and delivering a ph lity. of them simultaneously one to each receiving mechanism, and operating means for said transfer mechanism and said receiving mechanisms controlled by the delivery of articles to said supply point.

65. A supply point, a plurality of receiviiig mechanisms, a transfer conveyor receiving articles one by one from said supply point and delivering a plurality of them simultaneously one to each reccivng mechanism, operating means for said conveyor and said receiving mechanisms, and an electrical system of control for said operating means controlled by .the delivery of the articles to the supply point. i

66. A supply point, a plurality of receiving mechanisms, a transfer conveyor for receiving articles one by one from said supply point and delivering a plurality of them simultaneously one to each receivng mechanism, means for driving said conveyor ahead one step each time an article is supplied thereto, operating means for moving said receiving mechanisms each time articles are delivered thereto and a system of control for said driving means an d operating means controlled by the delivery of articles to the supply point. I

67. A supply point, a plurality of discharge points, a conveyor provided with article holding devices traversing said supply and discharge points, means for engaging said devices with the articles at the supply point, means for driving said conveyor one step each time an article is engaged therewith, means for simultaneously disengaging said holding devices from the articles one at each discharge point after a predetermined number 01 articles have been supplied to said conveyor, a plurality of receiving mechanisms one at each discharge point for receiving articles therefrom, means for movlng said receiving mechanisms each time articles are delivered thereto, and an electrical system of control for automatically controlling the actuation of all of said means in proper sequence.

A supply point, a plurality of discharge points, a transfer conveyor traversing said supply and discharge points, shit-ting mechanism adjacent each discharge point, and operating means for simultaneously moving said mechanisms into the path of the articles as they are brought by said conveyor into position at the discharge points and then advancing said mechanisms after the articles have been delivered thereto.

69. A supply point, a plurality of discharge points, a shifting mechanism adjacent each discharge point, a transfer con- Weyor receiving articles one by one from. said supply point and delivering a plurality of them simultaneously one to each shitting mechanism, and means for actuating said shifting mechanisms each time the number of articles delivered to said conveyor corresponds to the number of discharge points.

70. A supply point, a plurality of discharge points, a conveyor traversing said supply and discharge points, a plurality of shifting mechanisms one adjacent each discharge point, and operating means for simultaneously moving said mechanisn'ls rearwardly beneath the articles as they are brought into position at the discharge points and then advancing said mechanisms after the articles are delivered thereto.

71. A supply point, a plurality of discharge points, a conveyor traversing said points, a ,pivoted receiving arm one adjacent each discharge point, and means for simultaneously moving said arms rearwardly into position to receive articles from said conveyor and then advance said arms after the articles are received thereby.

72. A supply point, a plurality of discharge points, a conveyor provided with article holding devices traversing said supply-and discharge points, a plurality of shifting mechanisms, one adjacent each discharge point, means for simultaneously moving said shifting mechanisms into position to receivearticles from said conveyor and then advance said mechanisms, and means for simultaneously disengaging said holding devices one at each discharge point after said shifting mechanisms have been moved into receiving position. v

73. A supply point, a plurality of discharge points, a conveyor provided with article holding devices traversing said supply and discharge points, means for engag ing said devices with the articles at the supply point, means for driving said conveyor ahead one step each time an article is delivered thereto, a plurality of pairs of pivot ed arms, one pair adjacent each discharge point,' o'perati ng means for simultaneously moving said pairs of arms into position beneath the articles after a predetermined number of articles have been supplied to said conveyor, and means for disengaging said devices from the articles at said discharge points after said arms have been moved into receiving positions, said operating means being again operable to advance said arms after the articles are delivered thereto.

74L. A supply point, a plurality of discharge points, a conveyor provided with article holding devices traversing said supply and discharge points, means for driving said conveyor forward one step each time an article is supplied thereto, a plurality of shifting mechanisms one adjacent each discharge point, means for simultaneously operating said shifting mechanisms, means for disengaging said devices from the articles at the discharge points, and a system of control through which said driving means actuates said operating means to move said mechanisms into receiving position after a predetermined number of articles have been supplied to the conveyor and said disengaging means again actuates said operating means to advance the mechanisms aftersaid disengaging means are operated.

75. A supply point, a plurality of discharge points, a conveyor provided with article holding devices traversing said supply and discharge points, means for engaging said devices with the articles at the supply point, means for driving said conveyor forward one step each time an article is engaged therewith, means for disengaging said holding devices from the articles at the discharge points a plurality of shifting mechanisms one adjacent each discharge point, operating means for shifting mecha nisms; and a system of control including a switch controlling said driving means and actuated by said engaging means a switch controlling said operating means and actuated by said driving means, a switch. controlling said disengaging means and actuated by said conveyor, and a switch also controlling said operating means and actuated by said disengaging means.

76. A supply point, a plurality of superposed carriers, and a transfer mechanism receiving articles one by one from said supply point and discharging a plurality of them simultaneously one to each carrier.

77. A supply point, a drier having a plurality of stages each including a carrier, transfer mechanism receiving articles one by one from said supply point and delivering a plurality of them simultaneously one to each carrier, the delivery of said articles to the carriers of said drier occurring every time the number of articles received by the transfer mechanism corresponds to the number of stages of the drier.

78. A supply point, a plurality of carriers. a conveyor receiving articles one by one from said supply point and discharging a plurality of them simultaneously one to each carrier, means for stepping said transfer conveyor ahead one step each time an article is delivered thereto, and means for stepping said carriers forward each time articles are delivered thereto from said conveyor.

79. A supply point, a plurality of carriers, a transfer mechanism receiving articles one by one from said supply point and delivering a plurality of them simultaneously one to each carrier, and operating means for said transfer mechanism and said carriers controlled by the delivery of articles to the supply point.

80. A supply point a drier having a plurality of stages each including a carrier, a transfer mechanism for receiving articles from said supply point and delivering a plurality of them simultaneously one to each carrier, means for periodically actuating said transfer mechanism, and means controlled by the operation of said transfer mechanism for periodically driving said carriers.

81. A supply point, a plurality of carriers a transfer mechanism including a conveyor receiving articles from said supply point and shifting mechanisms to move the articles from said conveyor to said carriers, means for moving said conveyor ahead one step each time an article is delivered thereto, and means for simultaneously actuating said shifting mechanisms each time a predetermined number of articles have been received by said conveyor.

82. A plurality of horizontally disposed carriers one above the other, a conveyor having a run movable downwardly in front of said carriers, and mechanisn'is one in front of each carrier for shifting the articles from said conveyor to said carriers.

83. A )lurality of carriers one above the other, a conveyor having a run movable downwardly in front of said carriers, and a shifting mechanism in front of each carrier, each of said shifting mechanisms being movable rearwardly into the path of said conveyor to receive an article therefrom and movable forwardly to deliver the article to its respective carrier.

84. A supply point. a plurality of carriers, transfer mechanism including a conveyor receiving articles from said supply point and shifting mechanisms to more the articles from said conveyor to said carriers, means for moving said transfer conveyor each time an article is delivered thereto, means for actuating said shiftingmech anisms each time the number of articles delivered to said conveyor corresponds to the number of carriers, and means for moving; said, carriers each time article are delivered thereto.

85. A supply point, a plurality of discharge points, a plurality of carr' one adjacent each discharge point, a t ansfer conveyor provided with article holdin devices traversing; said supply and discharge points, means for engaging said holding devices with the articles at the supply point, means for driving said conveyor each time an article is engaged therewith, means for disengaging said holding devices from the articles sii'nultaneously one at each discharge point, mechanisms one adjacent each discharge point for shitting the articles from the conveyor to said carriers, and means for simultaneously operating" said mechanisms.

86. A. supply point, a plurality of discharge points, a plurality of iarriers one adjacent each discharge point a transfer conveyor provided with article holding devices traversing said point, mechanisms for shifting the articles from said discharge points to said carriers. means for engaging said. holding devices with the articles at the supply point, means for driving said conveyor ahead one step each time an article is engaged therewith, operating means for inov'inc' said shitting mechanisms into recciving positions after as many'articles have been supplied to said conveyor as there are carriers, .and means for disengagi'im said devices from the articles at the discharge points after said shitting mechanisms have been moved into receiving positions, said operating means for said shitting mechanisms being then operable to advance the latter.

87. A. supply point, a plurality of receiving mechanisms, a conveyor receiving; articles one by one from said supply point and delivering a plurality of them simultaneously one to each receivinn mechanism, and means for adjusting said conveyor relative to said receiving mechanisms.

88. An endless conveyor, a supporting frame therefor, a supply point at the receivin side of said conveyor, a plurality of "receivinp mechanisms at the delivery side of said conveyor, and means for adjusting; said frame to vary the relation of the delivery side o'l said conveyor to said mechanisms.

89. A supply point, a conveyor provided with article holding devices traversing said supply point, means for engaging said hold ing devices with articles supplied thereto, operating means therefor, and means electrically controlled by said operating means for moving said conveyor ahead. step by step.

90. A supply point, a discharge point, a conveyor provided with article holding devices traversing said points, means con.-

trolled by the delivery of the articles to the supply point for engaging said holding devices with the articles at the supply point, means controlled by said engagingmeans for periodically driving said conveyor, and means controlled by the operation of said conveyor ior diseng'a ringsaid devices from the articles at the discharge point.

91. A supply point, a discharge point, a conveyor provided with article holding devices traversing said points, means for en gaging; said holding devices with. the articles at the supply point, means electrically con trolled by said engagingmeans for periodi cally driving said conveyor, and means electrically controlled by the operation of said conveyor for disengaging said devices from the articles at the discharge point.

92. A supply point, a discharge point, a conveyor provided with article holding de vices traversing, said points, means it'or engaging said devices with articles supplied thereto, means for driving said conveyor ahead. one step each time an article is engaged therewith, means for disenga,o in;, said devices from the articles at the discharge point, and a system of control through which said engaging means, driving means and disengaging means are automatically actuated in sequence.

93. A discharge point, a conveyor mechanism including a conveyor provided with article holding devices traversing said point and means for driving said conveyor, means for disengaging said devices from the articles at the discharge point, and controlling means for said disengaging means periodically actuated by the operation of said convcyor mechanism.

94. A supply point, a discharge point, a conveyor provided with article holding de vices traversing said points, means for actuatino; said devices, intermittently actuated mechanism for receiving articles from said conveyor at the discharge point, and a sys tem of control throughwhich said mechanism is controlled by the operation 'of said conveyor.

95. A supply point, a discharge point, a conveyor provided with automatically operated article holding devices traversing said points, driving means for moving said con veyor ahead one step each time anarticle is delivered thereto, mechanism for receiving articles from said conveyor at the discharge point, operating means for intermittently actuating said mechanism and a system of control through which said driving means controls said operating means.

96. A supplv oint, a discharge point, a conveyor mechanism including a conveyor provided with article holding devices traversing said points and means for driving said conveyor each time an article is engaged therewith, means for engaging said 

